Meet the Heroes Who Died Defending Girls in Portland

New details are emerging about the three victims of Friday’s stabbing attack in Portland, two of whom died. People reports that Ricky John Best, 53, was killed at the scene of the attack while Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, died later at the hospital. Police say a third victim, 21-year-old student Micah David-Cole Fletcher, is being treated for serious injuries, but is expected to recover. The three men are being called heroes for coming to the aid of two teenage girls, described by witnesses as Muslim, who were allegedly being harassed by Jeremy Christian on a MAX train. Christian is accused of stabbing the men and is being held on multiple charges, including aggravated murder. According to the Oregonian, Best was a technician for Portland’s Bureau of Development Services. The Army veteran and father of four was commuting home when the incident occurred.

"He was always the first person you would go to for help," says his supervisor. "I've talked to most of his coworkers today, and several of them said it's just like Rick to step in and help somebody out." The BBC reports that Namkai-Meche recently graduated from college with an economics degree. His mother wrote on Facebook that he “was a hero and will remain a hero on the other side of the veil.” During a vigil in Portland, she said his heart was as “big as the world,” and called on people to respond to the incident with love. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler praised the three men for their "brave and selfless actions" and hopes they’ll "serve as an example and inspiration to us all." A GoFund Me campaign has been set up for Best and Namkai-Meche's families, while a separate one seeks to help Fletcher with his medical bills. (More hate crime stories.)